RTOs asked to inspect all autos, taxis for 10 min each

Inspect each autorickshaw and taxi for at least 10 minutes and every bus for 24 minutes before issuing fitness certificates. This is the directive issued by the transport commissioners to all regional transport offices (RTO) on Thursday.

Suggesting the time needed to inspect each vehicle, the circular states that light vehicles such as tempos and mini-buses should be inspected for 15 minutes, and heavy vehicles such as truck and tankers for 19 minutes.

Earlier 10 autos and taxis were inspected within 20 minutes.

In July, the Bombay high court had ordered that no certificate should be issued to the vehicle unless the RTO inspector carried out appropriate verification and as per the norms and procedure applicable in the regard.

Following the court directives, the transport department had appointed a committee under deputy transport commissioner LP Khade to study the process of issuing the certificate.

"The new directives are based on findings in that report," said a senior transport official, on condition of anonymity.

In its earlier circular on August 28, the transport department had asked all RTOs to follow procedure laid down in rule 62 of Central Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989, for granting fitness certificates.

RTO officials said they need more manpower to carry out the inspection in the prescribed manner.

"We are expected to designate separate inspectors for checking each vehicle. But the fact is that an inspector who issues driving licences in the morning, gives out fitness certificate in the afternoon and does other accident inspection work in the evening," said an RTO official.

The new circular also gives a break up for the time needed to check a vehicle's documents, engine, chassis number, visual inspection of various parts, mechanical condition, breaking power and steering play.

In buses, the inspector will also have to check things such as seating arrangement, emergency exit, fire extinguisher, first-aid box, among other things.